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Niagara Falls
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Golf: Doria, Robitaille crowned NOTL club champs

Joe Doria wasn’t going to let this one get away.

After losing the NOTL Golf Club men’s open championship in a playoff last year, Doria held off three tough opponents to win the title Sunday by one shot over former champ Stephen Warboys.

Doria went up two shots on the 17th hole of the two-day tournament when Warboys took an uncharacteristic double-bogey 6.

Heading to the 225-yard, par-3 finishing hole, Doria looked focused and determined. “I had to be,” he said afterward, “because I was shaking inside.”

He played it conservatively and bogeyed the tough 18th while Warboys made par – but it was just enough for Doria to claim his first title.

After 36 holes, only four shots separated the top four players, Doria (156), Warboys (157), Jim McMacken (158) and 2018 champ Jim Panetta (160). 

Warboys’ score won him the seniors champion crown and McMacken took A flight honours. Warren Tutton (167) won the men’s super senior title.

The women’s open championship also hotly contested. Louise Robitaille defended her title, shooting a 36-hole total of 166.

Runner-up Yolanda Henry finished at 172 to take the senior women’s title and Martha Cruikshank (176) was named super senior champ. 

One of the highlights of the women’s side was the weekend performance of the incomparable Barbara Ahluwalia. The 86-year-old, who underwent hip surgery a little over a year ago, wowed the crowd Sunday with a birdie 2 from just off the back of the green on the 18th to finish at 178.

The two open division champions, the seniors champs and junior boys winner David Dexter all qualified to compete in the Champion of Champions Tournament on Sept. 7 in Port Colborne.

Other winners: Men’s B flight: Sean Simpson, C flight: Ron Planche, D flight: Butch Rive, Bantam boys: Marsden Tataryn, age 12, in a three-hole playoff with his brother Grayson, age 10.

Women’s A flight: Ginny Green, B flight: Margot Richardson, Net flight: Therese Rothwell-Downes.

Earlier, during regular league play, McMacken warmed up for the weekend by shooting a 3-under 33 in Thursday men’s league competition. He also won closest to the pin (#1), long drive (#8) and took A flight with 26 points. Other winners: Closest to pin: Nick Miller (#4), Ralph Rickard (#7) and Don Allen (#9). Long drive: John Read (#3). B flight: Gerry Shelly (25 points). Gross skins: Nick Miller. Net skins: John Nicholson, Mike Eagen. 50/50: Martin Vagners ($210).

Friday Couples: First: Tim & Kathy Taylor and Mike Eagen & Michele Darling (34), second: Ken & Karen Burr and Rob & Valerie Chubey (36), third: Martin & Margot Richardson and Grant & Debbie Williams (36). Most honest: Charlie & Suzanne Rate and Bernard & Sharron Marlow. Closest to pin: Rob Chubey, Sue Avent. Long putt: Ron Newman, Valerie Chubey.

Tuesday women’s league: Barbara Ahluwalia, Lisa Allen and Yolanda Henry had dominating performances in Aug. 13 action. Low gross: Ahluwalia (84), Allen (85), Henry (86). Net: Ahluwalia (65), Allen (67), Henry and Robin Foster (70). Fewest putts: Ahluwalia (25), Henry (28), Allen (31). Closest to pin: Sharron Marlow, Ginny Green. Birdies: Ahluwalia, Green, Henry, Valerie Chubey (#2, #7). Chip-in: May Chang, Donna Lailey, Peggy Larder, Henry. Keep It Straight Contest: Marie Ellison and Chang. Winning team: Judy Mantle, Lailey, Ahluwalia and Chang.

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